urn:taro:utexas.cah.00630 A Guide to the Harry Yandell Benedict Papers, 1855-1865, 1874-1940 Center for American History Original EAD encoding by Amy E. Armstrong according to TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions. January 2008 Finding aid written in English. Descriptive Summary Benedict, Harry Yandell Harry Yandell Benedict Papers, 1855-1865, 1874-1940 Papers contain documents produced by mathematician, astronomer, and educator, Harry Yandell Benedict (1869-1937) and by members of the Benedict family. They relate to family history and to Benedict as a student, professor, and president of The University of Texas. [62-30; 64-31; 65-103; 89-355] 15 feet 10 inches Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin Materials are in English. Creator Sketch:

Harry Yandell Benedict was born on November 14, 1869, in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1877 he moved to Texas with his mother and brother, Carl, to live on land along the Brazos River in Young and Stephens counties.

Benedict enrolled in the University of Texas on examination in February 1889 and received a bachelor's degree with honors in civil engineering in 1892, and a Master of Arts degree in 1893. He was employed as an assistant at the McCormick Observatory at the University of Virginia from 1893 to 1895. In 1898, he studied at Harvard University where he received a Ph.D. in mathematical astronomy.

Benedict was in charge ad interim of mathematics and astronomy at Vanderbilt University in 1899. Later that same year, he left Vanderbilt and joined the University of Texas faculty as a mathematics instructor. He became a professor of applied mathematics and astronomy in 1907. From 1909 to 1911 he was director of extension. In 1911 he was promoted to dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1927 he became the tenth president of the University of Texas. He was the first ex-student to become president and he occupied that office longer than anyone else in the University's history. During his administration, President Benedict oversaw a major building construction program that added 15 new buildings to the campus, including construction of the McDonald Observatory.

President Benedict was the author of several books. He wrote <emph render="italic">Unified Mathematics</emph> with two other mathematicians (1915). With John A. Lomax, he wrote <emph render="italic">Book of Texas</emph> in 1916. He also completed <emph render="italic">A Source Book of Legislative History of the University of Texas</emph> in 1917 and <emph render="italic">Peregrinusings</emph> in 1924. At the time of his death, he was writing a history of the University of Texas.

President Benedict was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and president of the Texas Academy of Science. He held memberships in many professional organizations including the American Mathematical Society and the American Astronomical Society. Benedict was awarded honorary doctor of laws degrees from Baylor University in 1920 and from Southwestern University in 1929. He died on May 10, 1937. Benedict Hall, located on the University of Texas at Austin campus, was named in his honor in April 1953.

From: Berry, Margaret C. “Benedict, Harry Yandell (1968-1937),” <emph render="italic">Handbook of Texas Online</emph>.

 Scope and Contents:

Papers produced by Benedict (1869-1937), mathematician, astronomer, and educator, and by members of the Benedict family relate to family history and to Benedict as a student, professor, and president of The University of Texas. Included are official correspondence and records of the university, speeches on education and related subjects, records concerning the Carl Stone Benedict Scholarship, and Benedict’s history of The University of Texas. Papers also contain miscellaneous documentation on business and political developments, weather, and railroads, as well as materials related to pioneer Methodist minister Orceneth L. Fisher (1803-1880) and his second wife Rebecca Jane Gilleland Fisher (1831-1926), president of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas for 32 years (1894-1926) and often called the “Mother of Texas.” Included are correspondence, speeches, literary productions, class notes, memoranda, biographical data, legal papers, Texas legislative records, bulletins, reports, catalogs, scrapbooks, and photographs.

 Access Restrictions

Unrestricted access.

 Preferred Citation:

Harry Yandell Benedict Papers, 1855-1865, 1874-1940, the Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin.

 Index Terms Subjects (Persons) Benedict, Harry Yandell Fisher, Orceneth L. Fisher, Rebecca Jane Gilleland Subjects Benedict, Carl Stone, Scholarship Fund Clergy Mathematics Methodist Episcopal Church, South Texas. Legislature. Forty-first Congress Texas. Legislature. Thirty-eighth Congress Texas. Legislature. Thirty-fifth Congress Texas. Legislature. Thirty-ninth Congress Texas Rural Communities, Incorporated UT Administrative Council UT – Athletics and athletic facilities UT Board of Regents UT College of Arts and Sciences UT, History of UT – Legislation UT McDonald Observatory UT – Presidents Places Austin, Texas Nacogdoches, Texas Family Files 2B51 Correspondence, June 1877-February 1935 and undated Student Files 2B51 Math notebook (Harvard), 1895-1898 2B52 Math notebooks (Harvard): 2B52 1895-1897 2B52 1895-1898 2B52 Miscellaneous math notes, undated Personal Files 2B52 Book notices, 1913, 1918-1919, 1921-1928, 1930-1932, and 1934- 1937 2B53 Book notices, undated 2B53 Early business correspondence, W.L. Prather, president of The University of Texas, December 1899-July 1915 and undated 2B53 Business correspondence: 2B53 August 1899-December 1929 2B53 January 1930-December 1932 2B53 January 1933-June 1934 2B53 July 1934-December 1934 and 1935 2B53 January 1936-June 1937 2B53 Undated 2B53 Certificates and awards, April 1870-June 1931 2B53 Miscellaneous papers, undated 2B54 Newspaper clippings, 1908, 1916, and 1937 2B54 Notebook of memorable quotes, poetry, etc., undated 2B54 Programs: 2B54 April 1913-November 1933 2B54 February 1934-June 1936 2B54 July 1936-April 1937 and undated 2B54 Pamphlets, brochures, etc., 1916-1937 The University of Texas - Classified Files 2B54 A.R.T. courses, July 1918-April 1919 2B54 Academic and Education Departments, June 10, 1905 2B55 Administrative Council: 2B55 1910-1934 2B55 1935 2B55 1936-1937 and undated 2B55 Admissions, October 1916-December 1916 and undated 2B55 Advisors, June 1915, October 1915, May 1917 and undated 2B55 Admissions, October 1916-December 1916 and undated 2B55 Advisors, June 1915, October 1915, May 1917 and undated 2B55 Agricultural education, September 1917-December 1917 and April 1919 2B55 Alien enemies of the University, undated 2B55 American Association of University Professors, December 1914-February 1915 2B55 Application, Committee on Attendance at Professional Meetings, undated 2B55 Applied Mathematics, May 1908, March 1910, and May 1911 2B55 Athletic controversy, The University of Texas and University of Missouri, January 1915-October 1915, September 1916-January 1917, February 1917-October 1917, March 1918 2B55 Athletics, March 1916-November 1922, and undated 2B55 Bible Chairs and Bible Foundation, August 1918-October 1918, January 1919, April 1919, and undated 2B55 Board of Regents, itemized appropriations proposal, undated 2B56 Brackenridge Hall, June 1910, March 1911, June 1911, and undated 2B56 Budget appropriations, June 1907-October 1917 2B56 Budget reductions of State Universities, March 14, 1926 and December 1932-January 1933 2B56 Bugbee Loan Fund, June 10, 1909 2B56 Building Committee, August 1916, March 1924, an July 1924 2B56 Bulletin, “The University Calendar,” January 1920 2B56 Business Administration, March 13, 1918 2B56 Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, undated 2B56 Chimes Fund, April 1913-May 1913, June 1915, and undated 2B56 Christian Ethics, September 1918, January 1919, and undated 2B56 <emph render="italic">The Varsity Circus</emph>, April 8, 1921 2B56 Civic, social and health extension education, April 1918-May 1918 and July 1919-October 1919 2B56 College of Arts, February 1913 and September 1916 2B56 College of Arts and Sciences, Correspondence: 2B56 1914-1926 2B56 1927-1936 2B56 College Station, July 24, 1913 2B56 Constitutional amendment, public education, October 14, 1914 2B56 Co-Operative Society, May 1900-December 1920 and undated 2B56 Deans’ functions, annual reports, June 1903-June 1915 and undated 2B56 Department of Education, May 1915, October 1915, August 1917, and undated 2B56 Discipline, undated 2B56 Education (School of), undated 2B56 Eligibility, December 20, 1915 and undated 2B56 English (students’ use of), December 9, 1912 and October 9, 1915 2B56 Exemption from examinations, December 8, 1913 2B57 Extension (Department of), June 1909-December 1924 and undated 2B57 Faculty regulations, undated 2B57 Fine Arts Group, May 20, 1918 2B57 Fire protections, undated 2B57 Foreign Language requirements, March 19, 1917 2B57 “Fourth Liberty Loan,” undated 2B57 Fraternity, May 1912-November 1918 2B57 Genaro Garcia Collection, January 1919-February 1919, and undated 2B57 Grade report cards and sheets, May 29, 1913 2B57 Health Service, undated 2B57 Home Economics, February 1917-February 1920 and undated 2B57 Honor Roll, winter term, 1917 2B57 Inauguration, April 18, 1925 and April 27, 1925 2B57 Industrial Education, February 1921 2B57 Influenza, January 8, 1919, January 9, 1919, January 13, 1919 2B57 Instructing staff, November 1, 1918 2B57 Intercollegiate Intelligence Bureau, April 1917 2B57 “The International Jew,” undated 2B57 Interscholastic League, September 25, 1920 and January 3, 1921 2B57 <emph render="italic">Investigating the University</emph>, November 17, 1917 2B57 <emph render="italic">Junior Certificate</emph>, April 12, 1915 2B57 Learned societies, undated 2B57 Librarian, October 7, 1918 2B57 Master’s degree, May 11, 1918 and May 14, 1918 2B57 Mathematics, June 27, 1915, November 16, 1917, and June 10, 1919 2B57 Medical research, undated 2B57 Medical staff, annual report, 1920-1921 2B57 <emph render="italic">Military Report of the Committee on R.O.T.C.</emph>, April 28, 1920 2B57 Money for the University, June 12, 1915 2B57 Music, September 1915 2B57 Number of courses (amount of work), February 1, 1916 2B57 Oldright (Charles Durand) Loan Fund, undated 2B57 Organization, November 10, 1915 2B57 Peers (Katherine), May 16, 1918 2B57 College of Physical Training, February 16, 1924 2B57 Post Office, May 29, 1911, June 3, 1911, June 5, 1911, and June 8, 1911 2B57 President Prather faculty regulations, undated 2B57 Probation, January 1913, March 1913, November 1913, January 1914, April 1914, November 1914, November 1915, April 1916, November 1916, and January 1917 2B57 Publications, December 1902, March 1903, October 1903, February 1904-April 1904, November 1904, and undated 2B57 Purchasing, October 9, 1915 2B58 Quarter-major system, November 1925, February 1926, May 1926, January 1927, and undated 2B58 Rural consistency, April 15, 1919 2B58 Salary schedules, 1919-1923 and 1926-1927 2B58 Smith-Howard bill, August 1918-December 1918, January 1919-March 1919, and November 1919 2B58 Smith-Hughes bill, January 1918-July 1918, April 1919-December 1919, and February 1920-July 1920 2B58 Smith-Lever bill, 1910, December 1913, May 1919, September 1919- December 1919, February 1920-July 1920 2B58 State Supported Institutes of Higher Learning in Texas, study, undated 2B58 Students’ Army Training corps, October 16, 1918, December 23, 1918, and undated 2B58 Ex-students of the University of Texas, October 16, 1918 and October 29, 1918 2B58 Sub-committee of the committee on reorganization, November 17, 1917, February 11, 1918, and February 20, 1918 2B58 Summary of budget, 1910-1920 2B58 Summer schools, 1905, 1907-1912, 1914-1916, and 1918 2B58 Teachers, November 16, 1916 and October 31, 1918 2B58 <emph render="italic">The Texan</emph>, (Semi-weekly student newspaper), May 29, 1913 2B58 Texas Museum committee, May 1920-June 1920, August 1920- October 1920, December 1920, and updated 2B58 Texas Technological College, 1920-1922 and February 1923- September 1923 2B58 <emph render="italic">Texas University Monthly Magazine</emph>, editors-in-chief, 1885-1916 2B58 Transfers, January 28, 1919 2B58 University land, September 26, 1911 2B58 Visors, February 16, 1912 2B58 Vocational Education outline of plans and budget, 1920-1921 2B58 Wall rules for the Arts, Education and Engineering Faculties, October 1917 and undated 2B58 Women’s Building, June 4, 1913 2B58 Dr. Wolfe (meetings), February 1920-March 1920 The University of Texas Files 2B60 Office of the President, correspondence: 2B60 Bellmont investigation, July 1926-August 1928 2B60 Biographical data, August 1928-May 1937 2B60 Birthday greeting, November 1928, November 1930, November 1932, November 1934, November 1936, and undated 2B60 “Book Club of Texas,” February 1928-October 1933 2B60 “C”: 2B60 August 1927-December 1929 2B60 January 1930-December 1930 and March 1931-Dec. 1932 2B60 January 1933-March 1937 2B60 Christmas Card lists, designs, etc. personal, Dec. 1928-Dec. 1936 2B60 Contribution to charities, May 1934-April 1937 2B60 “D,” July 1927-January 1937 2B60 “E,” May 1927 and December 1927-July 1936 2B61 Educational survey: 2B61 June 1923-May 1924 2B61 L.D. Corrman, correspondence, April 1924, May 1924, and November 1924 2B61 General correspondence, October 1924 and November 1924 2B61 Information, 1923 and undated 2B61 Newspaper clippings, March 1922-December 1923 2B61 Report, drafts, vol. 6, chapters 1-13, undated 2B61 Report, galley proofs, vol. 7, chapters 1-13, October 1924 and November 1924 2B61 Report, (printed copy), vol. 3, chapters 1-4, 1924 2B61 “F,” August 1927-April 1937 2B61 Friar Society, May 1934 2B62 “G,” July 1927-May 1937 2B62 “H”: 2B62 January 1927-December 1928 2B62 January 1929-March 1932 2B62 April 1932-April 1937 2B62 “I,” August 1928-December 1936 2B62 Invitations, January 1930-April 1937 2B62 “J,” February 1928-March 1937 2B62 “K,” August 1927-May 1937 2B62 “L”: 2B62 August 1927-December 1930 2B62 January 1931-December 1936 and December 1938 2B62 Legislative letters, 41st Legislature, November 1928, December 1928, May 1929, and October 1930 2B63 “M”: 2B63 August 1927-September 1930 2B63 February 1931-May 1939 2B63 “Mc,” November 1927-June 1935 2B63 March 2nd Annual Texas Exes banquet information, March 1936- February 1937 2B63 “Most Worthy Citizen,” Austin, Texas, November 1925-December 1932 2B63 “N,” August 1927-December 1936 2B63 Newspaper clippings, July 1927-June 1936 2B63 “O,” February 1928-December 1936 2B63 “P”: 2B63 July 1927-November 1930 2B63 April 1931-April 1937 2B63 Pan American Union, November 1926, January 1927, and October 1927 2B63 Phi Beta Kappa, 1920, October 1927-May 1935, and March 1937 2B64 “Q-R,” September 1927-March 1936 2B64 Rotary, December 1926 and August 1927-January 1937 2B64 “S”: 2B64 August 1927-December 1928 2B64 January 1929-December 1931 2B64 January 1932-May 1937 2B64 Scholarship societies: 2B64 December 1927-December 1933 2B64 January 1934-February 1935 2B64 March 1935-May 1937 2B64 Socialism at the University of Texas, June 1915 December 1915 2B64 Sociology courses, January 1914 and January 1915 2B64 “T”: 2B64 September 1927-November 1931 2B64 March 1932-December 1937 and undated 2B65 Texas Rural Communities, Inc.: 2B65 February 1935-March 1935 2B65 April 1935-June 1935 2B65 July 1935-December 1935 2B65 January 1936-April 1937 2B65 “U”: 2B65 February 1929, September 1929, and November 1929 2B65 May 1930 and June 1930 2B65 May 1932-November 1932 2B65 January 1933 and February 1933 2B65 May 1935 and July 1935 2B65 November 1936 and December 1936 2B65 “V”: 2B65 April 1929 and June 1929 2B65 May 1932 2B65 December 1935 2B65 February 1937 and March 1937 2B65 “W”: 2B65 September 1927-December 1930 2B65 March 1931-April 1937 2B65 “Y-Z,” March 1928-February 1936 2B67 Office of the President, legislation: 2B67 38th Legislature, 1923 2B67 39th Legislature, 1925 2B67 41st Legislature, 1929-1930 2B68 44th Legislature: 2B68 General Laws, 1935-1937 2B68 House Journal, 1935-1937 2B68 Senate Journal, 1935-1937 2B68 Admission requirements, 1913-1922 and undated 2B68 Athletic information, correspondence on history and rules, June 1913-March 1930 2B68 Board of Regents: 2B68 Rules, regulations, research materials and drafts, 1928- 1935 2B69 Board of Regents, rules and regulations; galley proofs: 2B69 Revised copy with notes, July 1935 (?) 2B69 Marked copy with changes, January 7, 1936 2B69 March 2, 1936 2B69 Budgetary legislature: 2B69 1926-1933 2B69 1933-1935 2B69 Hogg Organization, 1911-1919 2B70 Newspaper clippings, A and M College and the University of Texas, 1911-1919 and undated 2B70 Newspaper clippings, miscellaneous, 1913, 1916-1918, 1931, 1934, and undated 2B70 Southwest Athletic Conference, constitution and bylaws, September 1, 1932 and September 1, 1933 2B70 Texas Institutes of Higher Learning, student, faculty, and budget statistics, 1910-1917 and 1920-1930 2B70 The University of Texas operational statistics, 1928-1929 Literary Productions 2B70 Essays, articles, etc., June 1903-December 1930 2B70 Essays, articles, etc., August 1931-April 1934 and undated 2B70 History of The University of Texas, research material: 2B70 Biographical material, James K. Holland, undated 2B70 Biographical sketches, March 1933, April 1933, and February 1934-May 1934 2B70 First edition, 1891 2B70 General faculty information, 1928-1937 2B71 Graduate faculty organization, March 1926-April 1931, May 1932, and undated 2B71 Graduate faculty recommendations, 1926-1935 and undated 2B71 Income and expenditures, September 1916-November 1916 and August 1917 2B71 Legislature: 2B71 Legislature appropriations, 1888-1919 2B71 Legislature journals, indexes, 1836-1918 2B71 35th: 2B71 First called session, 1918-1919 2B71 Second called session, August 1, 1917 2B71 Second session, House journal, 1917 2B71 Third called session, impeachment, 1917 2B71 Provisions for Texas education, report, September 1919 and undated 2B72 Source book: 2B72 Addenda, 1840-1917 2B72 General laws, 1883, 1887, and 1900 2B72 Texas mineral law, June 20, 1917 2B72 University lands: 2B72 Chapter 3, 1884-1898, 1918, and 1936 2B72 Correspondence, 1886-1898, 1918, and undated 2B72 “Laying the Foundation”: 2B72 Drafts and notes, chapters 1-9 2B73 Draft and notes, chapters 10-13 2B73 Draft and notes, chapters 14-17 2B73 Revision, copy C, chapters 1-9 2B73 Revision, copy C, chapters 10-15 2B73 Manuscript, chapters 1-9 2B73 Manuscript, chapters 10-15 2B73 Revision, draft and inserts, undated 2B74 Speeches: 2B74 February 1913-December 1927 2B74 January 1928-November 1929 2B74 January 1930-November 1930 2B74 February 1931-December 1931 2B74 January 1932-November 1932 2B74 January 1933-April 1937 2B74 Undated 2B74 Undated 2B74 Undated 2Q436 “History of The University of Texas”: 2Q436 vol. I, part 1, chapters 1-9 2Q436 vol. II, part 1, chapters 10-15 2Q437 vol. II, part 1, chapters 10-15 2Q437 vol. III, part II, chapters 1-4 Carl Stone Benedict Loan Fund 2B75 Allen-Burtner (1921-1937) 2B75 Capps-Cook (1921-1936) 2B75 Cowles-Curry (1923-1934) 2B75 Gray (1919-1934) 2B75 Hardy-Krueger (1919-1933) 2B76 Leslie-Livingston (1921-1932) 2B76 MacMaster-Mullins (1919-1936) 2B76 Naranjo-Robinson (1920-1936) 2B76 Sanders Stillwell-(1919-1940) 2B76 Taylor-Trotter (1919-1937) 2B76 Walker-Whiter (1922-1940) Miscellaneous files 2B77 Book belonging to Mary Blandfor Wright containing sketch about O.O. Fisher, 1882 2B77 J.W. Dinsdale, writings, November 1897 and undated 2B77 O.L. Fisher: 2B77 Correspondence, November 1860, February 1880, and undated 2B77 Deed and taxes on land, February 1856 and January 1857 2B77 Notes for sermons, writings, 1855, 1874, and April 9, 1920 2B77 Sacred melodies, vols. 1-3, undated 2B77 Rebecca J. Fisher, correspondence, November 1880, December 1891- January 1892, and November 1897-April 1899 2B77 Mirabeau B. Lamar memorial seals, 1836-1936 2B77 Newspaper clippings, farm products (Texas), 1925-1928 2B77 Poetry, 1900-1932 and undated 2B77 Scrapbook, Rebecca Jo Fisher, 1860, 1865, 1878-1902, and undated Photographs and pictorial materials 3S108 Photographs and pictorial materials Oversize materials 3S144 Oversize materials 2.325 0D15 Oversize materials OD1273 Two maps BENEDICT (HARRY YANDELL) PAPERS 4P265 Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences: Correspondence, 1915-1919 4P266 “History of the University of Texas”-notes, drafts, printed material, circa 1927-1937 4P266 Handbook of the University of Texas – correspondence, notes, printed material, circa 1927-1937 4P266 Education matters – clippings, circa 1927- 1927 4P267 Printed material, circa 1934-1937 4P267 “Digest of clippings received in re Senate Joint Resolution 13 and House Joint Resolution 30,” circa 1934 4P330 Committee on Tutors and Assistants – forms, correspondence, applications, recommendations, etc., 1916-1921 4P331 Committee on Tutors and Assistants – forms, correspondence, applications, recommendations, etc., 1916-1921 4Q258 Committee on Tutors and Assistants – correspondence, minutes, circulars, etc., 1919-1923 4R83 Removal of UT campus to new location, 1920-1921 4R83 Building Committee: Correspondence, 1919-1920 4R83 Education Building – David Harrell-Cass Gilbert correspondence, 1916-1917 4R84 Building Committee: Membership, 1919 4R84 Report to the President, 1919 4M44 Students’ statistics (as individuals), 1883-1936 (I) 4M47 Student enrollment statistics, 1900-1939 (II) 4M46 Statistics concerning groups of students, circa 1885-1941 (III) 4M45 Financial statistics, circa 1881-1937 (V) 4M80 List of student groups, organizations, and clubs with officers, etc., circa 1883-1936